Knee decisions — 2012

The Board has granted initial compensable ratings of 10% for the Veteran's service-connected right index finger disability, left ankle sprain, and right knee prepatellar bursitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not properly severed from service connection, and has granted service connection for a right hip disability as secondary to his service-connected bilateral flat feet.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders due to lead poisoning and is considering whether new evidence supports reopening these claims. The issues of service connection are mixed, with some conditions granted and others not.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU, but the weight of medical evidence indicates these conditions do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to consider the Veteran's reported in-service injury and any lay statements from fellow servicemen or people who knew him during this period. The claim will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's service-connected left leg disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as his non-service connected conditions also affect his employability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examination and development of his right knee disability, including obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right knee disabilities. The claims are being remanded for a VA examination and additional development.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disability was dismissed as he withdrew the issue at the Board hearing.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of right knee arthritis, finding that the original denial in 1989 was final and any reopening of the claim did not allow for a prior effective date.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an audiological examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and providing VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral knee arthritis has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, including any relationship to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to fully and fairly consider the appellant's claims, including obtaining retired military medical records and VA treatment records. The appellant will be scheduled for a VA orthopedic examination to assess his thoracolumbar spine disability and right knee disorder.

The Veteran's right knee disability was found to be limited to 30 degrees of flexion for the period from September 9, 2009. Prior to this date, a 10 percent rating was granted based on limitation of motion.

The Board denied service connection for right knee arthritis, right hip arthritis, and left elbow spur and olecranon bursitis as these conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, antral gastritis, and knee and wrist disabilities. The effective dates for the increased ratings were not granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and entitlement to TDIU, finding that there was no evidence of a current left knee disability that preexisted his service or was incurred therein. The Board also found that the Veteran's service-connected right knee, low back, and left thigh disabilities did not cause an increase in severity of his preexisting left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected shell fragment wound (SFW) of the left upper leg and a compensable rating for his SFW of the right thigh were addressed. The Veteran was granted service connection for DJD of the left knee, but denied service connection for a left knee replacement. His claims are considered 'mixed' as some issues were granted while others were not.